📊 GLOBAL WORKFORCE UPDATES 📊
📊 GLOBAL WORKFORCE UPDATES 📊
United States | Job Growth Hits Stall Speed
U.S. hiring slowed dramatically – only 73,000 jobs were added in July, far below expectations (~110,000). The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% (from 4.1% in June). Alarmingly, job gains for May and June were revised down by a combined 258,000, pointing to a sharper cooldown in the labor market than initially reported.
Canada | Labor Market Loses Momentum
Canada’s economy shed 40,800 jobs in July, reversing about half of June’s gains. Unemployment held at 6.9%, a near multi-year high, as U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos dented manufacturing hiring. Analysts had expected modest job growth; instead the labour force shrank and youth unemployment climbed to its highest since 2010 (excluding pandemic years).
China | Youth Unemployment Soars to Record High
China’s youth joblessness jumped to 17.8% in July - the highest in 11 months - as a record 12.2 million new graduates entered a shaky job market. This surge (up from 14.5% in June) reflects the difficulty young Chinese face finding jobs commensurate with their skills in a slowing economy. Beijing has rolled out special career guidance, training, and referral programs to combat the issue, but the mismatch between graduate expectations and available jobs continues to fuel high youth unemployment.
United Kingdom | Hiring Falls Amid Stubborn Wage Growth
Britain’s job market cooled further - payroll employment fell for the 6th straight month in July (down 8,000) - even as vacancies also declined. However, wage growth stayed elevated at 5.0% annually (excl. bonuses), well above the rate consistent with the Bank of England’s inflation target. The unemployment rate held at 4.7% (three-month measure), its highest since 2021, highlighting the BoE’s dilemma as it weighs future interest rate cuts amid persistent inflation pressures.
European Union | AI Act Oversight Now In Force
By Aug 2, Member States had to designate national authorities to supervise the EU AI Act - relevant for HR teams using “high-risk” AI in recruitment/management.
Australia | Right to Disconnect Hits Small Businesses Aug 26
From Aug 26, employees of small businesses gain the statutory right to disconnect; regulators also reminded employers about the “employee choice” pathway from casual to permanent.
🔢 BY THE NUMBERS 🔢
23%
The percentage of frontline workers say senior leadership understands what’s really happening on the ground, according to ZipRecruiter, signalling a trust gap that can drag engagement and retentions.
The percentage of U.S. office workers say they’d quit if their employer banned AI, according to CalypsoAI. This suggests blanket bans risk attrition and more “shadow AI” companies should consider enabling governed, secure AI use.
75%
The percentage of Canadian employees say they’d be more likely to stay if benefits were more personalized and comprehensive, highlighting personalization as a major retention lever.
$30 Million
DOL grant funding newly available to train workers for high-demand and emerging industries, including AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy, domestic mineral production, information technology (IT), and shipbuilding.
34%
The percentage of U.S. CEOs expect a net reduction in their workforce over the next 12 months (Q3 2025), up from 28% in Q2, according to The Conference Board. This signals rising downsizing risk.
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📑 INDUSTRY BRIEFS 📑
Aug 22: In Panama, post-strike banana-sector job cuts ripple; government presses for Chiquita’s return.
Aug 21: Oracle trims cloud teams to focus on AI infrastructure expansion; multiple WARN filings point to hundreds of U.S. roles affected.
Aug 21: International Paper announced the closure of its Savannah, Georgia mill, a move that will cut 691 jobs in the pulp and paper industry.
Aug 20: Employees in the UAE’s federal government can now take up to three hours of flexible working time - on arrival and departure - on the first day of school (August 25).
Aug 15: Dentsu to cut 3,400 roles (~8%), refocusing operations outside Japan.
Aug 13: Cisco to eliminate 221 positions in the Bay Area (Milpitas/SF).
Aug 13: Walmart has expanded its 10% grocery discount for U.S. employees to apply year‑round to nearly all grocery items in stores and online.
Aug 12: Amdocs preparing “hundreds” of layoffs alongside new GenAI & Data division.
Aug 7: U.S. federal law-enforcement hiring drive - ICE offers up to $50k bonuses to hire 10,000 agents; large headcount expansion funded.